dara_bc2002
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Hello ! I really really wasn't sure whether to post here today or not . But I have been reading this forum A LOT and not all the experiences are great , some are difficult ..like mine .
So , even if it's not such an inspiring story , here it goes and I hope not to discourage anyone .
Let me start by saying that my total prep time is around a full year , with some stops and delays along the way . I'm also pursuing a master's degree and that also takes some of my time ( not much though ) . My husband is in the exact same boat as I am , we are both taking the steps at the same time . I'm an IMG graduated in 2006 . I studied from Kaplan videos + lecture notes , FA ( not that great ) , Step 2 Crush , Step 2 Secrets , Mock exam , Kaplan Qbank , UW ( did it twice ) .
I thought I did everything right . I studied really hard , for a very long period of time , did around 7000 questions and then took the NBMEs . NBME Form 1 was 580( 6 weeks before the exam ) , Form 2 was 600 ( 2 weeks before the exam ) . So they predicted a score around 95-97 percentile .
I felt very confident and reassured after the NBMEs , so did my husband ( he scored in the NBMEs about the same ) , so we scheduled the exam for Dec 19th . We tried to go out of our way ( guided by this forum ) to take all the measures necessary before time . We checked into our hotel 2 days earlier , we stayed out of dangerous food ( no cheese , milk , mayonnaise , eggs etc ) , we had all the documents in order etc .
The one thing I was afraid of , almost the only thing I was afraid of happened ... I couldn't sleep . My husband slept like a baby , and I could not close an eye for a second ! The reason I was afraid of that is that I did the same thing for Step 1 ( which we both failed , but for different reasons ..we just didn't study from the right sources ) , and for Step 2 CS ( which we both passed ) . That's why this time I was armed with sleeping pills . Needless to say , but 2 ( NOT ONE ) sleeping pills couldn't knock me out . Even worse , probably from the anxiety , or maybe some weird food , I ended up vomiting most of the night . My husband had also taken a sleeping pill so he slept away during all this . I was so freaked so frustrated so exhausted and desperate that at 5 a.m. I woke my husband up and asked him to take me to the closest hospital .
At the hospital , they said it probably is some sort of food poisoning mixed with exam anxiety , they gave me numeroust shots and IVs to re-hydrate me , and at 8 o'clock I was at the testing center .
Needless to say I was in the worst shape OF MY LIFE , I've never been this sick or tired ...let alone before a 9 hour exam .
We got to the testing center at around 8 , and even though it was an hour before the scheduled start hour , the proctors said we should go ahead and start the examination , which was great because I was very afraid I might fall asleep in a chair waiting for the exam .
I have no idea where I found the strength to sit for the whole exam . Probably just the idea of waisting a year's work on a stupid night made me so angry that I just took it as a battle . Another failure would just be devastating to someone who already has a failed Step 1 . I'm even afraid to write down these thoughts , that's how anxious I get thinking about the possibility .
The point is , we both sat for the entire exam . I couldn't touch even a drop of water for fear I might vomit . I couldn't even take my pills with water because of that .I just took them with a drop of tea.
So for 9 very long hours , I did not eat or drink absolutely anything . We both took a break every 2 blocks . I did not want to break for every block for fear I might lose my concentration . And still , in block 8 , we both fell asleep while doing questions . We found out about the other one when we finished the test . Both my husband and I had had a 5 minute " nap " at some point while the timer was running .
This is pretty much where my story ends right now . I have no idea how I did in the exam . the questions all seemed very doable and reasonable . I even had the impression I had around 10 questions straight from the NBME . UW is the best and the must , but it is full of zebras that the actual test won't have . I had lots of pancreatitis , GI complaints , iron def ( 3 questions ) , all anemias ,no leukemia, very few surgery ( only trauma ) , 3-5 psych questions / block , pediatrics was fewer than I expected and weirder . I expected to have rashes more , but instead it was mostly orthopedics and development , vaccinations and respiratory .
The weird thing is that I answered most of the questions with plenty of time to spare . Because I was afraid of collapsing , I hurried all through the exam , did not review questions and most of the times had 15 minutes to spare / block . Thinking about it now it just sounds crazy , especially since most good scorers on this forum had time management issues . I am so paralyzed by the fear that I simply f*** up my questions because of the exhaustion and the speed . I never thought twice when I answered a question , whichever sounded familiar , i would just choose that one and never looked back . just did not have enough energy to double check .
That's my story . I don't know the ending yet . Considering my NBMEs it should've been a smooth sailing and instead it was a complete nightmare . Those questions would've been so accessible for me had I been fully awake ! I can't get over the fact that I did not thnink it was that tough . But God only knows how my mind was working at that hour and what kind of answers I picked . I have no idea how I did .
My story can serve you in 2 ways : if it ends badly , you will be aware of the importance of the night before no matter what your NBMEs are and take better measures . If it ends well , you will remember me and if you don't sleep that night you will tell yourself " Hey ...at least I didn't go to the emergency room , so I'll be ok " and you will use my experience as a proof that you can do it too .
I really wanted to wait until I got my results to post it , but I thought it might change my perspective and the first impression is the one everyone is looking for here . So I poured my soul out and did it now . I actually already feel better . I'm really trying to enjoy my Holidays even though I'm dying with anxiety .
Happy Holidays everyone !
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| hanialkhadher
Forum Elite
Topics: 18
Posts: 262
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very impressed with your endurance, and i am sure that your answers were almost the same as if you slept or may be better, the exam is like something get into the brain and it sucks out the information you know so even if you did not think much about the Qs the subconscious will take care of that, and also remember there is a merciful lord who will not waste your big effort . Do not fall into the anxiety circle and be sure you did all what is possible what ever would be the consequences , But i am sure you will get a very impressive score and i will wait to see that .
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"أقرأ بأسم ربك الذي خلق,خلق الأنسان من علق,أقرأ و ربك الأكرم, الذي علم بالقلم,علم الأنسان ما لم يعلم"
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| dr ruman
Forum Elite
Topics: 33
Posts: 370
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haye dara
i know all wierdest things happend to u ,all toughest situations were there in front of u ,and u were really in a battlefield,but yeah em 100% agreed with hania,that wat so ever is ,ur hardwork never let u down,u tried ur best and even if something was happening it was by GOD,HE may take u to peak of endurance and rewards u with HIS kindness and generosity,so gal u did watever u could,so let the things leave on God,He wont disappoint u ,trust Him and Pray with a peaceful thinking u did ur best and now HE wil do the best for u
HAPPY HOLIDAYS
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Living each day as a preparation for the next is an exciting way to live. Looking forward to something is much more fun than looking back at something—so lets do it together
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| afshoukry
Forum Newbie
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where did u take ur exam?
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| caduceus
Forum Guru
Topics: 120
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remember in life-"whatever happens is only for ur betterment. god is watching us and he wl give us whats best for us...we just need to work hard..."
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its all about karma
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| anuba
Forum Elite
Topics: 6
Posts: 448
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I wish you the best with your results. You can relax & take off the anxiety feeling for now. Pray that God will continue to bless you. Good luck!
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| zaidsuror
Forum Elite
Topics: 61
Posts: 238
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You planned well ,you worked hard ,God knows and rewards you for every effort you put into this exam In a way you couldn't have imagined.I totally agree with hani and dr ruman.The fact you didn't pull out makes your rfforts even greater ,hence the reward inshallah a bigger one.
Your answered were based on your subconciousness .which are likely to be determined by your scores on the usmle cd uw and nbme.GL on your scores and enjoy your time in thr time being,you have earned it.
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footsteps on the sands of time are not made by sitting around.
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| dara_bc2002
Forum Elite
Topics: 11
Posts: 280
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Thank you everyone for all the help and support ! I am really hopeful everything won't be as bad as I imagine it now . I will try to pray and settle my thoughts . It really helps that it is this beautiful time of the year .
It's not in my hands anymore . I did my best and now I can only hope .
Thank you for the kind words !
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| srita
Forum Senior
Topics: 18
Posts: 126
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hey dara, dont worry my heart says you will definitly get a very good score, your hard work and endurance will not go waste, god will definitly, definitly , help you, be happy and enjoy, just leave every thing on him
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| mytime
Go Marching in!
Topics: 40
Posts: 3,166
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Hey at least they didn't have to do an endoscopy! Look at it this way u were very well prepared esp. to tackle the GI. Am sure u did great!!!!! Only wish u hadn't experimented with the pill! I have been feeling severe epigastric pain for the last week so am all bundled up with my books, no time to even go to the doc. And praying I don't end up In the ER...... ur exp. was to close to home, but I'm certain u did ur best under the circumstances and that shall pay! Merry X-mas!
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| dara_bc2002
Forum Elite
Topics: 11
Posts: 280
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The last thing I wanted was to transfer my anxious mood on anyone else ,
mytime ! If there is anything to be learnt is that it must be looked at as just another exam . There's enough pressure on us just from the amount of time we put in and books we have to know . That's enough .
Ohh and you're right .... I should be thankful I didn't have to do an endoscopy !
Merry Christmas !
Good Luck !!!!!!
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| gstar44
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Topics: 1
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I pray to God that u get a good score.Waheguru!
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| dara_bc2002
Forum Elite
Topics: 11
Posts: 280
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Thank you gstar ! It's been 3 weeks already but still no score . Maybe next week .
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| hanialkhadher
Forum Elite
Topics: 18
Posts: 262
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Insha Allah to get a very high score exceeds expectations.
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"أقرأ بأسم ربك الذي خلق,خلق الأنسان من علق,أقرأ و ربك الأكرم, الذي علم بالقلم,علم الأنسان ما لم يعلم"
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| mytime
Go Marching in!
Topics: 40
Posts: 3,166
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Hey dara... I was kidding....... what happened with the scores...... ALL THE BESt!
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| dara_bc2002
Forum Elite
Topics: 11
Posts: 280
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Still no scores mytime ...still waiting
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| dara_bc2002
Forum Elite
Topics: 11
Posts: 280
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Wowwwwww guys ! I got my results !!!! It's a 95 !!!!!!!! I can't believe it ! After all the turmoil and the pain I had to go through my mind still worked well enough for this exam ! Unbelievable !
Thank You God for such a score ! If I did it under those circumstances , so can all of you ! All the hard work is never in vain apparently .
The information is there and it comes to the surface in 400 questions . You may get some of them wrong by hurrying , but overall I guess it simply shows your medical judgement .
I am stupefied . I lacked the faith required for such medical exams . It sounds ironic , but these exams need you to have faith .... I was pretty sure I could fail it just as well .
The desperation got the better of me but now I have shown myself once and for all that just because I once had a failure , that does not define who I am . I am confident that I will take my next exams with a totally different state of mind . The only thing I had to fear was fear itself . That was my only mistake.
Friends , I was your worst case scenario and I still did it . Be confident because that will translate directly into points . Trust your NBMEs and your mind .
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| dara_bc2002
Forum Elite
Topics: 11
Posts: 280
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Thank you ! Thank you ! Thank you ! to everyone on this forum ! It is the most wonderful thing in the world ! It helped me in my darkest hours ! Thank you friends !
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| bhanusupriya
Forum Elite
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congrats dara....
start partying....
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papa kehte hain bada naam karegaa...
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| Ujk
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Posts: 445
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Congratulations
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“When a person really desires something, all the universe conspires to help that person to realize his dream.”
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